With more than 30 renowned DJs and 50,000 electro-heads in attendance over two days, this year’s Budweiser Storm Festival in Shanghai will be remembered as one of China's biggest parties. Hopes are running high that November’s Shenzhen edition will share similar success.
Shenzhen is admittedly less used to the scale of event that Shanghai regularly hosts, but that doesn’t mean we’re expecting any fewer flashy, robot-like costumes or shirtless guys flaunting their abs and tribal tattoos at Storm’s southern debut. Plus, the tropical China coastline is also unlikely to experience the kind of heavy rains that turned Shanghai’s festival into a mud pit – though some might say that’s a bad thing!
RELATED: PHOTOS: Budweiser STORM Festival Shanghai
“The diverse crowd here really goes to show how popular electronic music has become,” said Chris Wu, a university student from Shenzhen who was among the Shanghai attendees. “The difference in ages and styles here shows that this kind of music is popular in China now – just like in America and Europe.”
It’s a sentiment echoed by Don Diablo, a popular Dutch DJ and producer who performed at Budweiser Storm Shanghai. “I don’t really notice a big difference between European, American and Chinese crowds,” he noted after his gig.
Round two of Budweiser Storm crashes into Shenzhen November 21-22. To give you an idea what you can expect (aside from food vendors, beers and bros), we have assembled an artist rundown, showcasing the four hottest acts announced so far.
Afrojack
A Grammy-winning DJ and producer, Afrojack is one of the world’s most celebrated EDM artists. At only 27 years old, he has been credited with helping propel electronic music into the mainstream through collaborations with notable artists like Sting, Snoop Dogg and Jared Leto.
Nationality: Dutch
Accolades: 2011 Grammy Award for Best Remixed Recording; number six on Forbes 2014 list of the world’s highest paid DJs
Must hear track: ‘Last Night’
Showtek
This celebrated Dutch electro-house duo began composing music in 2001 and is comprised of brothers Sjoerd (aka Duro) and Wouter Janssen (aka Walt). Although Showtek has well over a decade of tracks and performances under their belt, the gruesome twosome didn’t make it big until 2012 with the release of ‘Cannonball.’ On top of producing their own music, Showtek has been credited with producing tracks for a number of notable international acts, including Tiesto and Chris Brown.
Nationality: Dutch
Accolades: Hard Dance Awards Best Album (2009), Hard Dance Awards Best European Producer (2009), Hard Dance Awards Best European Hardstyle DJ (2008 and 2009)
Must hear track: ‘Cannonball’
Kaskade
A household name on the EDM scene, Kaskade has received four Grammy nominations: Best Dance/Electronica Album (2013 and 2014), Best Dance Recording (2014) and Best Remixed Recording (2015). Most recently, he is hot off the heels of a successful two-weekend stint at the iconic Coachella Valley Music Festival in California.
Nationality: American
Accolades: American’s Best DJ 2011 and 2013 (also placed in the top five of the fan poll for 2009 and 2010)
Must hear track: ‘Lessons in Love’
Fedde le Grand
A regular name on the international festival circuit, this 38-year-old Dutch DJ is known for remixes of popular artists, including (but certainly not limited to) Coldplay, Michael Jackson, Robbie Williams and Fatboy Slim. Fedde le Grand has also spent nearly a decade on DJMag’s prestigious top 100 list.
Nationality: Dutch
Accolades: MTV Award for Best Breakthrough (2007); MTV Australia Award for Best Dance Video (2007)
Must hear track: ‘Put Your Hands Up 4 Detroit’
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